Guardian Homes
I believe the best socialised puppies, who make the best family dogs come from dedicated breeders like myself whose puppies are born in the home and are much loved members of the family. My puppies are born, brought up in the home, loved and socialised from the minute they are born.
My reasons for seeking Guardian Homes in the future is due to the logistical problem that most home breeders can only accommodate a limited number of adult dogs. So, for a professional home breeder like myself the guardian home partnership is a great opportunity and a wonderful way to create friendships.
GUARDIAN DOGS MUST NOT BE GIVEN : LEPTO4, BRAVECTO, NEXGUARD or SIMPARICA.
THIS WILL BE A BREACH OF CONTRACT
What is a Guardian Home:
A dog guardian home is a living arrangement where a family cares for a dog that is owned by a breeder, usually as part of a responsible breeding programme.
The guardian family provides a normal, loving home life, while the breeder retains ownership and breeding rights.
The guardian homes are always close to myself, the breeder, to allow the puppy to continue the bond she formed with me during her first crucial early weeks meaning that there is no stress when she returns to me to give birth.
Becoming a guardian home is not something to be undertaken without due consideration, and not a decision I have personally taken lightly. I have an exceptionally high standard of care for my breeding dogs, and expect no less of a Northbound breeding dog placed in a guardian home.
Guardian home day to day responsibilities:
The guardian family is responsible for:
• Daily care — feeding, exercise, training, grooming, socialisation.
• Routine vet care — approved vaccinations, approved flea/worming, general health checks.
• Safe environment — secure garden, supervision, preventing accidental mating.
Should a guardian dog fail their health tests or be deemed infertile, the guardian home will be offered to either return the dog to the breeder free of charge, or buy the guardian dog as a pet for a reduced purchase price.
The breeder is responsible for:
• Health testing — hips, elbows, DNA tests, etc.
• Breeding decisions — when and frequency the dog is bred.
• Costs related to breeding — health tests, pregnancy care, whelping, pregnancy scan fees, etc.
A few specific examples of guardian home expectations;
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attending training to a minimum Kennel Club bronze award
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feed exactly the same food I feed whilst in my breeding programme
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maintain a healthy body condition for breeding
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appropriate exercise to the age of the dog
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grooming and ear care
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to not allow the dog to go up and down stairs prior to hip/elbow x-rays.
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must wear a GPS tracker whenever out
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make sure the boys are not near in-season girls
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in-season girls must be kept on the lead for 3.5 weeks, and walked on the pavement/streets only. They cannot be walked in fields, woods, parks, beaches, taken to holiday cottages or walked anywhere near off lead dogs.
A question often asked by guardian homes is; will the dog miss me too much?
Actually, the dog really doesn’t!
We perversely want our dogs to miss us so we feel an odd gratification that the dog needs us. The pups that go into guardian homes have lived with me for a while or been bred by me. This means I am very much their home and family too.
This is a positive thing for the dog as they have two homes that love them dearly and can fit in beautifully with both. I have never had a guardian home dog come back to me and pine for their guardian home family….it just doesn’t happen.
They have a wonderful time here with me and my other dogs.
Another question raised is; can I come and visit when my guardian home girl has had her pups?
Absolutely, I would expect you to come over and visit, it’s not a problem at all.
The gorgeous girl, once she has fully raised her puppies will be returned back to you in the best condition.
Finally, what if I don’t want the girl to return to you and have a litter?
That will never happen, because that is why my chosen girl (or stud) is in my Northbound breeding programme and in a guardian home not a pet home.
So being a guardian home is probably not the path to suit you.
What happens when the dog is used for breeding;
For females:
• She comes to me the breeder for mating and again to give birth.
• She stays with me for the birthing period (usually 6–8 weeks).
• The guardian family gets her back once the puppies are weaned.
For males:
• He will be brought to myself the breeder for mating's or for short visits.
• He usually stays with the guardian family full‑time otherwise.
My guardian agreements include:
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Number of litters (maximum 3)
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Health testing requirements
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Who pays for what
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Financial penalties payable by the guardian home for the loss or injury of a breeding
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What happens if the home breaches terms of contract
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When ownership transfers to the guardian family
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Rules about neutering/spaying
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Behaviour and training expectations
Why people choose to be a guardian home;
• You get a high‑quality, well‑bred dog for no upfront cost.
• The dog gets a normal family life instead of living in a kennel.
• You stay connected with the breeder and often the puppy families.
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What is the worst case scenario;
If a guardian dog is not being cared for properly, if the contract is not being followed, or if communication and trust breakdown, I will remove the dog from the guardian home. In rare cases, this can also involve a financial penalty if the dog is unable to complete their agreed breeding commitments. This has happened before, and I take the wellbeing of my dogs very seriously.
This is not a game or commitment to be entered into flippantly.
That said removal is unlikely when both sides understand and follow the agreement. We usually build a strong, positive relationship based on trust and a shared love of the breed. I offer full support and guidance to my guardian homes, and am available at anytime of the day and night.
Areas to consider before committing;
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Are you comfortable being without the dog for weeks during whelping?
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Are you prepared to pay a reduced pet price should the dog fail their health tests
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Are you happy to follow my contract terms?
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Do you trust my ethics and reputation?
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Are you prepared for extra responsibilities (training, health checks, travel)?
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Do you understand that you are taking on an significant dog whose priority is to be a breeding dog first and foremost, and not a pet to do with as you wish.
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Are you able to commit to a continuing relationship of openness, honesty, trust and respect with me for 5 years.
If you have any questions at all, please contact me on
northboundlabradoodles@gmail.com / 07711 950825
